--- title: "Unbelievable: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/unbelievable/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/unbelievable" critics_score: 87 critics_reviews: 12 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Unbelievable (2019): what the critics said Critics' score 87 from 12 reviews: 12 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The reviews are unanimous. All twelve are positive, and the praise gathers in two places: the restraint with which the series handles rape, declining graphic reconstruction and refusing to put a male detective at the centre, and the performances. Kaitlyn Dever’s Marie is named most often, with Merritt Wever and Toni Collette close behind as the two investigators whose patience is set against the doubt Marie meets. Several critics also credit the writing for its interest in process, in how a case is built or broken by the questions asked in the first hours. The spread is narrow, running from good to exceptional, and nobody dissents on the whole. The reservations are small. Variety finds parts of the portrayal of the justice system troubling, and The Guardian is the most measured of the twelve, admiring the refusal of voyeurism without joining the raves. The Telegraph warns that the first episode is brutal to sit through, though it thinks the difficulty is earned. ## The i Paper — Sarah Carson Rating ★★★★★. 12 September 2019. The critic calls the series an excellent, important and relentlessly bleak depiction of rape reporting that powerfully examines institutionalised misogyny and the fragility of survivors without exploiting violence or centering a male detective. It singles out Kaitlyn Dever’s intimate, sensitive performance as Marie for particular praise. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/unbelievable-netflix-review-kaitlyn-dever-toni-collette-merritt-weaver-337999) ## The Telegraph Rating 5/5. 13 September 2019. The first episode is some of the most brutal and harrowing television, showing how the system fails victims through invasive questioning and doubt, based on a true story. It deals with complex issues in a considered way without sensationalism, highlighting why victims must be taken seriously. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/on-demand/0/unbelievable-review-brutal-drama-based-true-story-really-unbelievable/) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 13 September 2019. The review calls Unbelievable a radical and exceptional crime series that prioritizes victims and the impact of compassionate versus dismissive treatment by police. It singles out the grounded performances by Kaitlyn Dever, Merritt Wever, and Toni Collette, along with the humanist, low-key feminist tone set by the directors and writers. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2019/09/unbelievable-netflix-review.html) ## Variety — Daniel D'Addario Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 3 September 2019. The critic finds the series soars as a humanistic document of trauma and self-worth with a plainspoken virtue; it praises Kaitlyn Dever’s crystalline performance highly while noting some troubling aspects in the justice portrayal. It singles out the focus on one individual ground up by the system. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2019/tv/reviews/unbelievable-netflix-review-toni-collette-merritt-wever-1203304722/) ## Radio Times — Flora Carr Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 9 September 2019. The review finds the series enraging in its portrayal of police mistakes that enabled a serial rapist while contrasting victim treatment; it praises the sensitive, non-gratuitous approach that avoids graphic sexualisation. It singles out Merritt Wever’s standout empathetic performance as detective Karen Duvall. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/unbelievable-review-netflix/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Daniel Fienberg Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 10 September 2019. The critic calls it surprisingly satisfying despite bleak subject matter, praising the confident, occasionally light tone, smart crafting, narrative economy and strong ensemble performances. It singles out the focus on process, failings of the justice system and the importance of listening and believing. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/unbelievable-1238404/) ## The AV Club — Danette Chavez Rating B. 11 September 2019. The critic praises the miniseries for its restraint and focus on the victims' experiences rather than sensationalism or graphic exploitation. It highlights the strong performances, particularly Kaitlyn Dever's, and its examination of how the justice system fails survivors while still offering some hope through compassionate detectives. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/unbelievable-tells-a-powerful-all-too-real-story-about-1837898194) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 13 September 2019. The series is a fiercely feminist look at whose stories get heard in the justice system, focusing on a retracted rape allegation and the work of two female detectives. It avoids voyeurism or clichés by exploring trauma, power dynamics, and the grey areas of truth rather than sensationalising violence. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/sep/13/unbelievable-review-toni-collete-netflix) ## Collider — Lauren Thoman Rating ★★★★★. 13 September 2019. The critic calls the series a stunning, sensitive true-crime drama that builds on a foundation of belief in the survivors. Performances by Kaitlyn Dever, Merritt Wever, and Toni Collette are singled out as powerhouse work that anchors the story of trauma and healing. [Read the review](https://collider.com/unbelievable-review-netflix/) ## Paste — Allison Shoemaker Rating 9.5/10. 11 September 2019. The series is described as difficult yet exemplary, devastating without needing to shock, with quiet power that lingers after viewing. The three lead performances are praised as uniformly excellent, with the show distinguished by its assumption that viewers understand the horror of rape. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/unbelievable/unbelievable-review-netflix) ## Den of Geek — Delia Harrington Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 16 September 2019. The critic describes the series as an insightful masterpiece and unflinching look at injustice, centering survivors and the failures of the system in handling sexual assault cases. It praises the precise adaptation, realistic portrayal of trauma, and standout performances, especially Kaitlyn Dever's, while noting its respectful handling of difficult material. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/unbelievable-review-an-insightful-masterpiece-from-netflix/) ## The Ringer — Alison Herman Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 19 September 2019. The series achieves a rare level of empathy through its focus on survivors of sexual violence and the women who advocate for them. It contrasts one victim's mistreatment by skeptical male detectives with compassionate female investigators who properly support victims and pursue the perpetrator. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2019/09/19/tv/unbelievable-review-merritt-wever-kaitlyn-dever) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/unbelievable.md